ms-settings Commands Shortcuts for Settings App in Windows 11

Control Panel was the single place for managing all system settings in Windows 7 and earlier versions. However, Microsoft introduced Settings app in Windows 10 and moved most, if not all, Control Panel items. Settings app also got complete redesign in Windows 11 with modern look and sleek appearance. Whether you want to find system related information, add a device or uninstall an app, Settings app is the place to go in Windows 11.

Why Do You Need Command Shortcuts?

Settings app look like below and has hundreds of options spread over various categories in the sidebar. Though there is a search box to filter the options, it is not convenient to go through the lengthy route when you want to do repeated task.

Let’s say, you want to change the system theme to dark or light whenever you need (as of now, this is a manual action and does not work automatically). You need to open Settings app and navigate to “Personalization > Colors” section and select the mode from “Choose your mode” dropdown every single time. Fortunately, you have lot of command shortcuts to directly access the required Settings app’s page and save time.  

Complete List of ms-settings Commands

Below is the complete list of commands to access different sections of Settings app in Windows 11.

ms-settings Command	Settings App Page
ms-settings:system	System
ms-settings:display	System > Display
ms-settings:nightlight	System > Display > Night Light
ms-settings:display-advancedgraphics	System > Display > Graphics
ms-settings:sound	System > Sound
ms-settings:sound-devices	System > Sound > All sound devices
ms-settings:apps-volume	System > Sound > Volume mixer
ms-settings:notifications	System > Notifications
ms-settings:quiethours	System > Focus
ms-settings:powersleep	System > Power
ms-settings:energyrecommendations	System > Power > Energy recommendations
ms-settings:storagesense	System > Storage
ms-settings:storagepolicies	System > Storage > Storage Sense
ms-settings:savelocations	System > Storage > Where new content is saved
ms-settings:crossdevice	System > Nearby sharing
ms-settings:multitasking	System > Multitasking
ms-settings:activation	System > Activation
ms-settings:troubleshoot	System > Troubleshoot
ms-settings:recovery	System > Recovery
ms-settings:project	System > Projecting to this PC
ms-settings:remotedesktop	System > Remote Desktop
ms-settings:clipboard	System > Clipboard
ms-settings:about	System > About
ms-settings:devices	Bluetooth & devices
ms-settings:bluetooth	Bluetooth & devices > Devices
ms-settings:printers	Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
ms-settings:mobile-devices	Bluetooth & devices > Phone Link
ms-settings:camera	Bluetooth & devices > Cameras
ms-settings:mousetouchpad	Bluetooth & devices > Mouse
ms-settings:devices-touchpad	Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad
ms-settings:pen	Bluetooth & devices > Pen & Windows Ink
ms-settings:autoplay	Bluetooth & devices > AutoPlay
ms-settings:usb	Bluetooth & devices > USB
ms-settings:network	Network & internet
ms-settings:network-wifi	Network & internet > Wi-Fi
ms-settings:network-wifisettings	Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks​​​
ms-settings:network-cellular	Network & internet > Cellular
ms-settings:network-ethernet	Network & internet > Ethernet
ms-settings:network-vpn	Network & internet > VPN
ms-settings:network-mobilehotspot	Network & internet > Mobile hotspot
ms-settings:network-airplanemode	Network & internet > Airplane mode
ms-settings:network-proxy	Network & internet > Proxy
ms-settings:network-dialup	Network & internet > Dial-up
ms-settings:network-advancedsettings	Network & internet > Advanced network settings
ms-settings:network-advancedsharing	Network & internet > Advanced sharing settings​
ms-settings:personalization	Personalization
ms-settings:personalization-background	Personalization > Background
ms-settings:colors	Personalization > Colors
ms-settings:themes	Personalization > Themes
ms-settings:lockscreen	Personalization > Lock screen
ms-settings:personalization-textinput	Personalization > Text input
ms-settings:personalization-touchkeyboard	Personalization > Touch keyboard
ms-settings:personalization-start	Personalization > Start
ms-settings:personalization-start-places	Personalization > Start > Folders
ms-settings:taskbar	Personalization > Taskbar
ms-settings:fonts	Personalization > Fonts
ms-settings:deviceusage	Personalization > Device usage
ms-settings:installed-apps	Apps > Installed apps
ms-settings:defaultapps	Apps > Default apps
ms-settings:maps	Apps > Offline maps
ms-settings:optionalfeatures	Apps > Optional features
ms-settings:appsforwebsites	Apps > Apps for websites
ms-settings:videoplayback	Apps > Video playback
ms-settings:startupapps	Apps > Startup
ms-settings:accounts	Accounts
ms-settings:yourinfo	Accounts > Your info
ms-settings:emailandaccounts	Accounts > Email & accounts
ms-settings:signinoptions	Accounts > Sign-in options
ms-settings:family-group	Accounts > Family
ms-settings:backup	Accounts > Windows Backup
ms-settings:otherusers	Accounts > Other users
ms-settings:assignedaccess	Accounts > Other users > Kiosk
ms-settings:workplace	Accounts > Access work or school
ms-settings:dateandtime	Time and language > Date & time
ms-settings:regionlanguage	Time and language > Language & region
ms-settings:typing	Time and language > Typing
ms-settings:speech	Time and language > Speech
ms-settings:gaming-gamebar	Gaming > Xbox Game Bar
ms-settings:gaming-gamedvr	Gaming > Captures
ms-settings:easeofaccess	Accessibility
ms-settings:easeofaccess-display	Accessibility > Text size
ms-settings:easeofaccess-visualeffects	Accessibility > Visual effects
ms-settings:easeofaccess-mousepointer	Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch
ms-settings:easeofaccess-cursor	Accessibility > Text cursor
ms-settings:easeofaccess-magnifier	Accessibility > Magnifier
ms-settings:easeofaccess-colorfilter	Accessibility > Color filters
ms-settings:easeofaccess-highcontrast	Accessibility > Contrast themes
ms-settings:easeofaccess-narrator	Accessibility > Narrator
ms-settings:easeofaccess-audio	Accessibility > Audio
ms-settings:easeofaccess-closedcaptioning	Accessibility > Captions
ms-settings:easeofaccess-speechrecognition	Accessibility > Speech
ms-settings:easeofaccess-keyboard	Accessibility > Keyboard
ms-settings:easeofaccess-mouse	Accessibility > Mouse
ms-settings:easeofaccess-eyecontrol	Accessibility > Eye control
ms-settings:privacy	Privacy & security
ms-settings:windowsdefender	Privacy & security > Windows Security
ms-settings:deviceencryption	Privacy & security > Device encryption
ms-settings:developers	Privacy & security > For developers
ms-settings:privacy-speech	Privacy & security > Speech
ms-settings:privacy-speechtyping	Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization
ms-settings:privacy-feedback	Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback
ms-settings:privacy-activityhistory	Privacy & security > Activity history
ms-settings:search-permissions	Privacy & security > Search permissions
ms-settings:cortana-windowssearch	Privacy & security > Searching Windows
ms-settings:privacy-location	Privacy & security > Location
ms-settings:privacy-webcam	Privacy & security > Camera
ms-settings:privacy-microphone	Privacy & security > Microphone
ms-settings:privacy-voiceactivation	Privacy & security > Voice activation
ms-settings:privacy-notifications	Privacy & security > Notifications
ms-settings:privacy-accountinfo	Privacy & security > Account info
ms-settings:privacy-contacts	Privacy & security > Contacts
ms-settings:privacy-calendar	Privacy & security > Calendar
ms-settings:privacy-phonecalls	Privacy & security > Phone calls
ms-settings:privacy-callhistory	Privacy & security > Call history
ms-settings:privacy-email	Privacy & security > Email
ms-settings:privacy-tasks	Privacy & security > Tasks
ms-settings:privacy-messaging	Privacy & security > Messaging
ms-settings:privacy-radios	Privacy & security > Radios
ms-settings:privacy-customdevices	Privacy & security > Other devices
ms-settings:privacy-appdiagnostics	Privacy & security > App diagnostics
ms-settings:privacy-automaticfiledownloads	Privacy & security > Automatic file downloads
ms-settings:privacy-documents	Privacy & security > Documents
ms-settings:privacy-downloadsfolder	Privacy & security > Downloads folder
ms-settings:privacy-musiclibrary	Privacy & security > Music library
ms-settings:privacy-pictures	Privacy & security > Pictures
ms-settings:privacy-documents	Privacy & security > Videos
ms-settings:privacy-broadfilesystemaccess	Privacy & security > File system
ms-settings:privacy-graphicscapturewithoutborder	Privacy & security > Screenshot borders
ms-settings:privacy-graphicscaptureprogrammatic	Privacy & security > Screenshots and apps
ms-settings:windowsupdate	Windows Update
ms-settings:windowsupdate-history	Windows Update > Update history
ms-settings:windowsupdate-uninstallupdates	Windows Update > Uninstall Updates
ms-settings:windowsupdate-options	Windows Update > Advanced options
ms-settings:windowsupdate-optionalupdates	Windows Update > Optional updates​
ms-settings:delivery-optimization	Windows Update > Delivery Optimization​​
ms-settings:delivery-optimization-activity	Windows Update > Delivery Optimization​​ activity monitor​​​​
ms-settings:delivery-optimization-advanced	Windows Update > Delivery Optimization​​ advanced options
ms-settings:windowsinsider	Windows Update > Windows Insider Program

Note: There are some more commands like ms-settings:display-advanced which navigates to “system > Display” settings like ms-settings:display command but highlights the scale option. You may not find some commands working if the options are not available in your computer. For example, ms-settings:network-wifi may go to “Network & internet” section if you are using Ethernet. However, it will go to “Network & internet > Wi-Fi” settings page if your system is connected to Wi-Fi.

How to Use ms-settings Commands?

You can use the above commands using one of the following options.

1. Using Run Prompt

• Press “Win Logo + R” keys to open Run prompt.
• Type your ms-settings command and press “OK” button.

For example, use ms-settings:taskbar command to go to “Personalization > Taskbar” section in Settings app.

2. Run ms-settings Command from Terminal App

Second option is to run the ms-settings command from Terminal app.

• Right-click on the Start menu and select “Terminal (Admin)” option.
• You can use Command Prompt or switch to PowerShell mode.
• Type your ms-settings command in the following format and press enter.

start <ms-settings command>

For example, use start ms-settings:apps-volume command to go to “System > Sound > Volume mixer” page in Settings app.

3. Create ms-settings Desktop Shortcut

If you frequently access some settings pages, then it makes sense to create a desktop shortcut for quick access.

• Right-click on your desktop and select “New > Shortcut” menu.

• Type your ms-settings command in the “Type the location of the item” box and click “Next” button. Let me use ms-settings:about command for opening system’s device specifications page.

• On the next screen, provide the name for your shortcut. Let me use “about System Settings” and click “Finish” button.

• This will create a desktop shortcut with the provided name.

• Double click on the desktop shortcut to quickly open the “About” settings page.

4. Linking ms-settings Commands in HTML

If you are preparing web documentation or tutorials for users, it is a good idea to link the required settings page in your document. This will help users to directly access the page by clicking on the link without remembering the commands. For example, if you want users to go to the user account info settings page, then link “ms-settings:yourinfo” command like below:

<a href="ms-settings:yourinfo" target="_blank">Open Account Info Settings</a>

Final Words

You can use Run or Command Prompt if you remember the command names. Run prompt will also show suggestions when you type “ms-settings” command. Otherwise, the best option is to create few desktop shortcuts for frequently used settings pages to access them quickly.